Kilkenny qualified for their third provincial hurling final as a result of a landslide victory over a disappointing Offaly side at Portlaoise last night. Two goals by full forward Eoin Behan saw Kilkenny lead 2-8 to 05 at the interval. Killian Farrell had an Offaly goal 10 minutes into the second half. However Kilkenny replied with a string of points and a third goal.
Kilkenny: A McCormack; M Maher, M Kavanagh, P Hoyne; J Brennan, PJ Ryan, S Lanigan; R Mullally, PJ Coady; A Geoghegan (0-2), J Hoyne (0-4), H Shefflin (0-10); P Delaney (0-2), E Behan (2-2), J Coogan (0- 1). Substitute: M Hoyne for A Geoghegan, J Young for J Coogan, B Aylward for PJ Ryan OFFALY: B Mullins; R Devery, E Maher, U McGuckin; B Whelehan (0-2), C Cassidy, T Spain; M Murray, G Oakley (0-1); G Hennessy (0-2), E McGuinness, K Farrell (1-4); D Franks, M Hand (0-1), P Carroll. Substitutes: B Troy for E McGuinness, A Clancy for D Franks, V Franks for P Carroll. Referee: P Ahern (Carlow).
